News Digest :: June 8, 2021

Legislatura

Rep. Dean and State Sen. Hughes: COVID-19 relief funds should be distributed now (broadandliberty.com)

State senator delivers grant to Newtown Township to purchase new police vehicles | Newtown Area | buckslocalnews.com

Senator Santarsiero Announces $131,900 in State Funding to Newtown Police Department – Times Publishing Newspapers, Inc.

PA Bill Gives Workers Displaced by Carbon Tax Pennies on Dollar | Marcellus Drilling News

GOP Senators in PA Lobbied for Election Audit in December: Report (businessinsider.com)

Hearing addresses nursing homes – The Mon Valley Independent

Martin proposes a charter school reform bill | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Senate GOP seeks to expand tax credits for educational scholarships | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

GOP advances bill in Pa. Senate that would further expand private school tax credits | WITF

School choice expansion in Pennsylvania clears first hurdle | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pa. lawmakers clash over bill expanding school choice and other reforms – pennlive.com

Bill clarifying ethical standards for Act 47 officers moves out of Pa. Senate – pennlive.com

Pennsylvania Senate bill aims for statewide EV infrastructure – Daily Energy Insider

Pennsylvania got $7B in federal stimulus money. How it might spend it (goerie.com)

With $10,000,000,000 to spend, advocates press Wolf, Pa. lawmakers to prioritize poor people (inquirer.com)

Advocates for Pa.’s poor call for a ‘just budget’: What would that look like? | Tuesday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Gun rights supporters rally outside Pennsylvania Capitol | State & Region | phillytrib.com

Pa. lawmakers return for June with big agenda, sharp differences and 4 weeks to finish budget | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As politicians tinker with taxes, Western Pennsylvania farmers worry about what that might mean for the next generation | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Activity at the Pennsylvania Capitol returning to its pre-COVID ways | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Leslie Rossi, Abby Major break records as they take office in Harrisburg | TribLIVE.com

Medical marijuana law changes get through Pennsylvania House | TribLIVE.com

Make expense reporting matter of law | Editorials and Columns | thetimes-tribune.com

Pennsylvania lawmakers poised to end Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 disaster declaration – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pa. GOP lawmakers stay quiet on who paid for their trip to see Arizona audit. What’s the impact? | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Lawmakers split over 2020 election audit in Pennsylvania (broadandliberty.com)

Op-Ed: Energy production important to Pennsylvania’s environmental future | Opinion | thecentersquare.com

Pa. House could soon vote on gun bill allowing permitless concealed carry (goerie.com)

Reps. Diamond, Gleim, introduce ban on teaching “critical race theory” in Pennsylvania schools | Around the Web – Pennsylvania | mainlinemedianews.com

 

Coronavirus - COVID-19

Nacional

Scientists begin to unravel the mysteries of the coronavirus and brains | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Washington state OKs free pot as vaccine incentive | TribLIVE.com

OraSure’s COVID-19 rapid test provides ‘vast opportunity’ for the company in the U.S., internationally, CEO says – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Film Taps Into Racism’s History To Reach Black Americans : Shots – Health News : NPR

Fake COVID Vaccine Cards Are Being Sold Online. Using One Is A Crime : NPR

Vaccine tax credit: Tips for employers looking to cash in on new credit – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Estado

COVID-19 Update: Statewide positivity rate falls below 3%; Pa. cases trending under 1,000 per day | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Vaccine incentives: Do prize drawings and rewards increase vaccination rates? | Smart Talk (witf.org)

Why are Pennsylvania nursing homes reluctant to expand indoor visits? (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

New COVID-19 cases plummet in Pennsylvania (timesonline.com)

Local

Philadelphia COVID vaccine incentives include cash sweepstakes (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia to give away nearly $400,000 in vaccine prizes | TribLIVE.com

COVID-19 spread still declining in region, state | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Lincoln Park in Midland hosts COVID-19 vaccine appointments (timesonline.com)

NW Coalition highlights COVID-19 progress | Northwest | phillytrib.com

 

Empresa/Trabajo

Those essential workers from 2020? They’re still in demand in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

These little known health insurance options may save small employers big money (inquirer.com)

Back open and busy: Customers flock to bars and restaurants after COVID restrictions lifted | News | citizensvoice.com

Judge fines company $325,000 for OSHA violation in Duryea rail yard death | News | citizensvoice.com

New program to help under- and unemployed | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Major business disruptors post pandemic [Column] | Business Weekly | readingeagle.com

How soon until Harrisburg recovers from the pandemic? ‘The worst is behind us’ – pennlive.com

Entities affiliated with two Delaware River projects in Philadelphia file for bankruptcy – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Forbes names 4 Philadelphia-area companies among nation’s 100 best employers for new grads – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

SBA PPP loan funding exhausted, SBA administrator says – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

SBA wants to increase EIDL limit to $2M – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

 

Delito/Castigo

Pittsburgh Pagans Motorcycle Club leader pleads guilty in federal court to violating firearms laws | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philly authorities ask for help identifying the man who shot and killed Dunkin’ manager (inquirer.com)

Former Scranton police officer solicited sex from informants, federal prosecutors charge | Crime-Emergency | thetimes-tribune.com

Results of York City gun violence study called ‘alarming’ and ‘extremely disturbing’ – pennlive.com

Allentown police update hiring rules to loosen restrictions on past marijuana use, reject recruits who display ‘hate related ideologies’ – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

 

Educación

Here’s how one Philly school kept kids engaged through a long year of virtual learning (inquirer.com)

Ex-Temple dean Moshe Porat is drawing on past scandals involving Chris Christie and John Bolaris to fight rankings fraud case (inquirer.com)

Contractor dispute forces Franklin Regional to use contingency funds for Sloan playground | TribLIVE.com

Scranton School Board votes to close Bancroft permanently | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

Plans move forward for first Catherine Hershey Schools early learning center – pennlive.com

Pa. Christian college nixes social work program partly due to theological conflicts | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com

Should Pa. students get mental health days? – pennlive.com

Drexel President John Fry pushing university into new markets as ‘demographic cliff’ looms – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Superintendent: Greater Johnstown relief funds target 3 areas | News | tribdem.com

 

Elecciones/Política

How the national push by Trump allies to audit 2020 ballots started quietly in Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Fetterman should stop flouting flag law and obey it | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Letter to the editor: Lies of Trump, Republicans | TribLIVE.com

Democrats brace for 2022 elections with ‘little margin for error’ | TribLIVE.com

County election board certifies some but not all primary results | Election | citizensvoice.com

Conservative talk radio host who once backed the Arizona GOP election recount is now warning against it – pennlive.com

In Senate campaign stop, Arkoosh visits Pittsburgh to talk infrastructure | WITF

Pa. GOP gubernatorial hopeful McSwain using pre-checked box for extra donations | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Once the beneficiaries of direct democracy, the GOP wants to kill it. Where should Pa. stand? | Fletcher McClellan | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

‘Blue’ Southeast PA counties had head start on election grants (broadandliberty.com)

What happened in three mayoral primaries and what it means for cities | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Pennsylvania’s 2022 race for governor: What we know so far · Spotlight PA

The Hill Puts PA on Most Likely Senate Seats to Flip in 2022 List | PoliticsPA

Barletta, in his second try for state office, seeks to run Pennsylvania | Election | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Medio ambiente

Review: Bill Gates says avoiding climate disaster is possible, but costly | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Despite pandemic, level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere hits historic levels | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Carbon Dioxide Driving Climate Change Increases : NPR

Chris Kelly Opinion: Greetings from Garbageville | Chris-kelly | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Transporte

King of Prussia rail extension is an exemplar of bad planning | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airportgets COVID-19 relief money | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Selling the American public on electric vehicles handicapped by the length of time it takes to charge them – pennlive.com

 

Salud

FDA approves much-debated Alzheimer’s drug panned by experts | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh doctors excited about ‘life-changing’ potential of new Alzheimer’s disease drug | TribLIVE.com

Former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter had surgery for prostate cancer. He especially wants Black men to hear about his experience. (inquirer.com)

To Your Health: Keeping patients informed during pandemic | Times Leader

Reading Hospital — Tower Health looking for participation in research survey | Health | readingeagle.com

Pennsylvania health officials say recent flu season was one of mildest on record | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

PLANNING AHEAD: Long-term care — where you live makes a difference [Column] | Business | dailylocal.com

 

Noticias del Estado

Pennsylvania’s new unemployment system: What you need to know – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Pennsylvania must dramatically expand access to housing, advocates say | WITF

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor states that nearly 300,000 workers over the age of 40 will benefit from a minimum wage increase. – Pennsylvania News Today

Business as usual for PGW is bad for consumers, the climate, and even PGW | Editorial (inquirer.com)

Feds’ UFO report draws varied reactions from Pa. sky-watchers and scientists | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The eviction ban is ending. Here’s how to get help in Pennsylvania. (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pa.’s autism and intellectual disability services system is in crisis (goerie.com)

Covid hurts Pennsylvania’s state parks with lifeguard shortage (goerie.com)

 

Noticias nacionales

Why It’s So Hard to Buy a Car – NBC10 Philadelphia (nbcphiladelphia.com)

Global internet outage affects Amazon, Reddit and major news websites | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Swaths of internet down due to outage at cloud company Fastly (inquirer.com)

Outage at cloud service company Fastly briefly brings down numerous websites, including CNN, New York Times – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Company that emerged from Murray Energy bankruptcy to close West Virginia mine, laying off 180 workers | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

U.S. recovers most of ransom paid after Colonial Pipeline hack | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

How a new team of feds hacked the hackers and got Colonial Pipeline’s Bitcoin back | WITF

Mexico’s president appears to hold majority in elections amid his party’s apparent decline | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Google overhauls global ad model after French antitrust fine | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Supreme Court won’t review male-only registration for the military draft | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Supreme Court rules against immigrants with temporary status | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Demand for green home features continues even in today’s competitive market (inquirer.com)

In stunning move, NJ. to close scandal-ridden Edna Mahan women’s prison – pennlive.com

Burger King says it will donate to LGBTQ group with every sale of new fried chicken sandwich – pennlive.com

High costs related to federally mandated biofuel usage have weakened the refinery industry and left the East Coast vulnerable to shortages. – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Dozens of states leave athlete compensation on back burner | WITF

States poised to allow college athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

MoveOn.org says nothing untrue in capitol riot petition in NAC lawsuit (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

How the VA has illegally denied health care to thousands of veterans (poconorecord.com)

Firearm safety, education can mean difference between life and death (poconorecord.com)

Jeff Bezos will blast into space on rocket’s 1st crew flight | News | phillytrib.com

 

Noticias locales

Opponents to testify against proposed power plant in Elizabeth | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Fixes for 7 landslides in Upper Burrell to cost more than $400,000 | TribLIVE.com

Editorial: Honor a candidate’s legacy of seeking public service | TribLIVE.com

Another tax break request before Luzerne County Council | Times Leader

Plans progressing on Dickson City dog park | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Attorney for property owners seeking Lackawanna County reassessment makes case to judges | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Cleaning up Scranton, one small part at a time | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Pittston Area preliminary budget would not increase property tax rate | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Hazleton City Council could set wage tax rates Wednesday | News | standardspeaker.com

Wyoming Valley chamber highlights work of Hazleton Integration Project during pandemic | News | standardspeaker.com

Carbon County talks staffing; lifts mask mandate | News | standardspeaker.com

Still have overdue books or owe late fees? A number of Berks libraries are ready to help you | Local News | readingeagle.com

‘It’s absolutely insane:’ Effort to save hundreds of animals seized from central Pa. man has left rescuers exhausted – pennlive.com

West Chester’s Gay Street Open-Air Market Place starts next week | Local-news | dailylocal.com

After another student suicide in Downingtown, community looks for hope | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Lancaster city opposes plan to convert downtown retail space to 16 apartments; zoning appeal filed | Local Business | lancasteronline.com

Manheim Township agrees to settle pool discrimination lawsuit for $43K; fired manager’s lawsuit continues | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Erie federal court: Twin sisters avoid prison in federal tax fraud (goerie.com)

Delco makes inroads with Emergency Rental Assistance program | Coronavirus | delcotimes.com

YDR, York NAACP discuss new changes in public safety reporting

 

Pitt

Pittsburgh International Airport opens new cheaper Economy parking lot | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Short-term parking rates rise at Pittsburgh airport while new economy lot offers $7 daily rate | TribLIVE.com

DA Zappala amends decision to halt plea deals with Black attorney | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh activists join call for U.S. Senate to pass immigration reform they say will help Pa. economy | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Time running out? Carnegie Science Center seeks to extend life of 450-space parking lot | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Promise receives $20K grant for workplace inclusion efforts | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank sees record-breaking SNAP applications | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Community mosaic project draws contributions from Pittsburgh and beyond | TribLIVE.com

 

Filadelfia

Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia Supreme Court case, explained (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia budget deal nears as anti-violence funding, stimulus, and tax cuts negotiated (inquirer.com)

Dessert companies get a chance to bloom at the Philadelphia Flower Show (inquirer.com)

Black-owned restaurants in Philadelphia: Craig LaBan’s favorites (inquirer.com)

Lower Merion suddenly has a walkable riverfront, thanks to Pencoyd Landing development | Inga Saffron (inquirer.com)

Philly should reject the parking tax cut | Opinion (inquirer.com)

David Oh proposes $45 million for Philly arts and says groups should hold politicians accountable (inquirer.com)

Black Doctors Consortium’s Ala Stanford shows interest in Philadelphia health commissioner job – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Red Cross hosts blood drives in Oaks and Philadelphia | Local-news | timesherald.com

Council to Kenney: $100 million needed to combat historic surge in gun violence | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philly DA Krasner planning community forums on gun violence, criminal justice reform | | phillytrib.com

Program helps youth of color learn about real estate over the summer | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philly’s Hallahan High holds its last graduation ceremony | News | phillytrib.com

Mural honoring George Floyd vandalized in Philadelphia | Local News | phillytrib.com

‘You have to ask yourself: When does the mayor resign?’: Philly critiques a struggling Kenney administration | Local News | phillytrib.com

 

Washington

Senate report details sweeping failures around Jan. 6 Capitol riot | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Biden invites Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy to visit | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

‘Do not come’: VP Harris seeks ‘hope at home’ for Guatemalans | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dems, outside groups pressing for voting and ethics overhaul are undaunted by Manchin opposition | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

‘A lot of anxiety’ for Democrats as Biden agenda stalls | TribLIVE.com

States get a blueprint for ‘red flag’ gun-removal laws from the Justice Department | WITF

Reuniting Migrant Families Is Going Very Slowly For The Biden Administration : NPR

How The Biden White House Aims To Address Risks To U.S. Supply Chains : NPR